Join thousands of fellow campervan travellers
Sign up for our Britz newsletter to receive inspirational travel content and awesome deals, and we'll send you a copy of our Ultimate RV guide!
Thanks
Please confirm subscription in your email.
Why do people go to Cape Hauy?
Perched on the ocean-bitten fringe of Tasman National Park, Cape Hauy, Tasmania, serves up a mix of rocky spires, iridescent water and heart-pumping staircases. Starting at the boat ramp at Fortescue Bay, the out-and-back Cape Hauy walk (about 9–10 km) lets you pocket the finale of the Three Capes Track in a single afternoon, ticking off one of the absolute best walks in Tasmania while still making it back to the van for a sunset dinner. With a car park that backs straight onto the forest and cliffs that spring 180 m out of the Tasman Sea, it’s no wonder every “top things to do on the Tasman Peninsula" list starts with this cape.
Why do people go to Cape Hauy?
Travellers chasing that “edge-of-the-world” sensation, will find it all and more at the cape: sheer walls plunging into foaming surf, climbers ant-marching up the Candlestick sea stack, and sea-eagles surfing the up-drafts. The impressive cliffs and restless ocean surrounding Cape Hauy create a dramatic landscape perfect for photographers, while the meticulously built Cape Hauy trail feels like a StairMaster dropped into Narnia, switching from peppermint gum to coastal heath before spitting you onto the wind-polished Cape Hauy lookout—perfect for hikers and nature lovers.
Whether you’re chalk-handed for a climb, lens-hunting for long-exposure shots, or simply hiking Cape Hauy for the post-walk beach dip, the cape delivers drama in every direction. And because it’s stitched into the Three Capes Track, you dip a toe into multi-day magic without the hut bookings. Oh, and did we mention the potential for spotting passing whales in migration season? Yep. There's that too.
How hard is the Cape Hauy trail?
This walking track earns a grade 3 rating, but the footing is made simple between the stone steps, boardwalk and compacted gravel. The real test of this well-constructed track is the stair count (somewhere north of 4,500) and roughly 500 m of total climb, including a steep set of mostly stone steps. So, we recommend that you take poles if your knees are prone to grumbling. The upside? Zero navigation worries and non-stop views make hiking Cape Hauy feel less slog, more epic film set and you’ll be able to add another tick to your tally of best walks in Tasmania.
How long should I spend at Cape Hauy?
Four to five hours is the sweet spot for a relaxed Cape Hauy day hike: three hours on the move plus pauses for jelly-snake refuels, photos and unhurried gawping at the Cape Hauy lookout, reaching this scenic point is a highlight of the journey. Speed goats can do it in under four; photographers and families sometimes spin it to six or more. If a swim at Fortescue Bay or a fishing session off the rocks is on your list of things to do on the Tasman Peninsula, pad the schedule accordingly. At the end of the trail, hikers are rewarded with stunning rock formations and panoramic views, marking a memorable culmination of the hike. If you're a rock climber, then you will definitely want to check out the spectacular dolerite columns of the Candlestick and Totem Pole and schedule according to your ascent time.
How do you pronounce Cape Hauy?
Similar to the "au" in fault, which creates an "oo" noise, we pronounce this as Cape "Hoo-aye".
How to get to Cape Hauy
From Hobart – Follow the A9 south-east for 1.5–2 hrs (about 96 km). At Taranna, grab a coffee, then turn left onto Fortescue Bay Road. It’s 12 km of graded gravel—fine for 2wd campervans, just slow on the corrugations.
From Port Arthur – It’s a 20-minute breeze north. Coming via Eaglehawk Neck? Allow 35 minutes.
How to get to Cape Hauy
From Hobart – Follow the A9 south-east for 1.5–2 hrs (about 96 km). At Taranna, grab a coffee, then turn left onto Fortescue Bay Road. It’s 12 km of graded gravel—fine for 2wd campervans, just slow on the corrugations.
From Port Arthur – It’s a 20-minute breeze north. Coming via Eaglehawk Neck? Allow 35 minutes.
Best time to visit Cape Hauy
Season – November to April dishes up warm, mostly dry weather (15–22 °C) and those gin-clear vistas Tasmania is famous for. Wildflowers peak late spring; summer delivers 15-hour daylight marathons perfect for a leisurely Cape Hauy day hike. Shoulder seasons are cooler but blissfully quiet. If you plan to visit in July, expect cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, making it a serene time for the hike (but you will need to pack appropriate layers!)
Time of day – As with most attractions, crack-of-dawn departures reward you with pink skies, empty steps and wallabies on the track while late-arvo walkers score golden light on the Candlestick and a twilight cruise back to camp. Weekdays are also a great bet if you are looking to beat the crowds. That said, if you're heading here in summer, aim to beat the crowds by 09:30 (regardless of the day) as the day-use bays fill fast. And don’t forget to purchase a Parks Pass ahead of time if you want to keep on schedule.
Weather in Cape Hauy, Tasman National Park
The peninsula’s marine climate is a shape-shifter: sunshine one minute, Antarctic squall the next. Summer highs hover around 20 °C, while winter can dip to single digits. Gusts whip across the headland, so layer up, stash a beanie and carry a waterproof. Remember, the Cape Hauy trail is exposed—UV bounces off the sea even on cloudy days.
Best place to park your campervan
Fortescue Bay Campground is the gold standard for Tasman National Park stays in a campervan. This campground has a dedicated day-use carpark and, if you want to stay a little while, you can just as easily grab a campsite and have access to amenities like toilets, hot showers, and BBQ facilities. Best of all, because it’s the jump-off for the Cape Hauy walk, you can roll out of bed, zip up the boots and be on the Cape Hauy trail before the first tour bus hits the peninsula. Book ahead in summer or school holidays—prime sites vanish fast among those looking to tick off the best things to do on the Tasman Peninsula.